Portrait of George Washington (1732-1799)

DateProbably 1800

Possibly by Jean-Simon Chaudron

Possibly by John Baptiste Dumoutet (1761 - 1813)

After work by Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de Saint-Memin (1770-1852)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumWax

DimensionsOther (image): 3 3/8 x 2 3/8in. (8.6 x 6cm)

Credit LineGift of Graham & Gale Hood

Object number1986-249

DescriptionUpon receipt in 1986: Wax portrait of George Washington, mounted on replacement leather backing, in reproduction frame. N. B. The wax profile was later mounted on glass and placed in another frame. (See Notes).
Label TextThe design of this wax profile derives from a drawing (now lost) executed by Charles Balthazar Julien Fevret de St. Memin (1770-1852) in 1798, or from the engraving made in 1800 after the drawing.
On January 8, 1799, St. Memin advertised that "A great number of portraits of distinguished persons who honoured the artist with their patronage at New York, may be seen at S. Chaudron's, No. 12, South Third street." On January 4, 1800, Philadelphia goldsmith Simon Chaudron (1758-1846) advertised "Mourning Rings, With an elegant Portrait of the late illustrious General Washington." On February 26, 1800, another Philadelphia jeweler ran the following notice: "John B. DuMoutet having discovered that there are a quantity of Rings & with false likenesses of the late General Washington informs his customers and the Public, That he is the only person in Philadelphia that is in possession of the plate, with a true likeness of General Washington in uniform dress, as has been allowed by the first artists."
The confluence of these notices suggests that Chaudron or DuMoutet may have sculpted the wax profile.

ProvenanceAs of 10/20/2003, Graham Hood (see "Donor") recalls only that he bought the profile at an Antiques Show where he was lecturing, he thinks in Houston, Texas. No prior history was gleaned from the now-unidentified dealer who sold it to him.